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Hi,

I own a 1985 bmw 323i (pic attached at bottom) i think it is has the looks but just no go!! anywas i was looking to do a engine conversion (but then again i do not know enough about cars to do it myself so someone else has to do it) im willing to spend about $10-$15k on it and make it a sleeper. Has anyone got any suggestions on what engine i should get for it (preferably turbo) and what else i should do to it???

Ohhhh and where is a good place to look for engines for sale??? and are half cuts any good or nahhh???

cheers

darryn

post-34322-1167820780.jpg

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i use to have an old beemer like that (e30 323i) and from reading around found that the newer e34 motors fit in with not to much problem, meaning u could go a motor form a e34 328 or for best results a 3.2lt m3 motor, cause that would rock :P

or maybe a smaller 320 motor, but why would u do that?

Edited by Dav

umm....are you thinking of an RB motor? Thats why your on SAU?

Peak Performance (I think?) deal with BMW's and turbo'ing and supercharging. Thought of a bolt on kit?

try www.performanceforums.com as there might be a few members there to help you out.

p.s. paint looks like a good job :(

edit - yep - new BMW motor in old school bmw ftw :D old M3 motor? :P

Yeah i was thinking rb, but just not sure where i can find one and if it will be any good or not is their any places on the net u can buy engines etc??, and i was also thinking a bmw engine but damn they are expensvie for what they are!!! and also what else would u guys think i would be in for changing on the car if i put a new engine in???

cheers

darryn

yeah i was gussing that sort of stuff but what about like the engine mounts would they have to be cusom made if so is that expensive??? sorry about all the question im just a young fella just left school and saving hard!!! do u think 10-15k will do it?? and actually go good???

cheers

darryn

do you think you would be able to get pics of the car and the engine and does it go hard??? also if the guy msn can u get his email??? and another thing i have to do aswell is convert it to a manual!!! i'd love to here everyones thoughts!!

cheers

darryn

2JZ is a better choice if you have the room because the exhaust and intake are the same side as the 'slant' motor BMWs... ie exh on driver's side, intake on passenger.

Here's my old E30 with 2.8L built motor :P

My vote is keep it BMW, it's heaps cheaper to drop in a M20 2.8L inline 6 from E36 3 series (bottom end is the same, you get twin cam heads), then supercharge it with a kit or turbocharge it. If you've got $$ then E36 M3 motor and super/turbo it.

More from me in the morning when I can be bothered typing.

post-1486-1167826812.jpg

There are a few SR powered E30's floating around.

The M3 in that generation also ran a 4 pot so I guess the weight distribution wouldn't lend itself to a cast iron inline 6, so I'd be inclined to go for an SR20DET.

But it depends on what you want to do with the car. If you just want it to go fast in a straight line, nose heaviness won't bother you but the extra torque from a bigger 6 cylinder will be more appreciated.

If you're looking at going to a lightweight corner carver instead, how about a Toyota 4AG-GZE?

Or for something completely out of left field, will a Holden 308 fit in it? E30 with a 5.0L V8 :P

  evil_weevil said:
Actually - the lexus / Nissan V8 motors could be interesting!

go the nissan V8, much tougher engine.

and they can be had for under $2000 if you shop around.

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